I took a day out from Spain to check out the e-scooter situation in Gibraltar.

I left my car in Spain and walked across the border, this is weird as you have to walk across the airport runway to get to the rock (there’s controlling lights and barriers to ensure you don’t get taken out by jets!). I was immediately struck by the number of e-scooters crossing the border, far more than bicycles. A quick chat with one of the riders, who informed me they were mostly Spanish locals commuting over to work,  and that scooter riders had to go through with motor vehicles, rather than the pedestrian border control point I used.

Once I was in the main area of Gibraltar town it became apparent why the Gibraltarian government are taking a positive, progressive, approach to scooter use. With it being such a small area (less than 3 square miles) but with a dense population of over thirty two thousand people, the town has a significant traffic and environmental problem to deal with. New laws have just been introduced to regulate the usage, and for a short advisory period the police are handing out leaflets to riders to make them aware.

E-scooters clearly offer part of the solution here, and it’s great to see that being acknowledged. You just need to ensure you stick to the new rules. That’s keep off the pavements and wear a helmet. Plus I’d go with a higher power model if you plan to ride the roads to the top of the rock to see the apes – it’s over 400m to the top and seriously steep!